Capital Region Caveman

I've seen about the internet, people in various diet tribes pushing specific diets and supplements to prevent Covid-19 from getting you. The fact is no diet, supplement or nutrient will (likely) save you. But the fact is those most at risk are people who made a lifetime of bad dietary and lifestyle choices. Metabolic disease (obesity, visceral fat, and diabetes), CVD, hypertension, and smoking are all underlying health/lifestyle problems or comorbidities that increase mortality if you become infected with SARS-COV-2. While there may not be anything that you can do in the near term to flatten the curve via diet and lifestyle, long term you can help reduce you exposure to diseases like this by making mindful choices. Reducing junk carbohydrates and junk fats, eating real nutrient dense food and learning to cook for yourself are all great ways to make yourself healthier and more resistant to disease. Both metabolic and infectious. CNN.com

"Due to the mountain of evidence supporting low-carb diets, since 2012 I have  followed one to manage my own type 1.5 diabetes — which has characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. And I have helped countless patients do the same. If many of my patients and I consume more than 50 grams of carbs a day our sugar goes out of safe range, no matter how much we exercise — and I am an avid runner."  If the committee moves forward with its potential “low-carb” definition in the upcoming 2020 guidelines, it will be a grave misstep. Labeling a diet that derives nearly half its calories from carbohydrates as “low-carb” is not only unscientific, it’s dangerous. Folks who follow this recommendation won’t see any of the benefits of a true low-carb lifestyle. Their health will continue to deteriorate — and they’ll dismiss “low-carb” diets as ineffective. - Dr. Mark Cucuzzella  https://www.sunjournal.com/?p= 9383994 Like Dr. Cucuzzella, I've been low carb (and intermittent k

Orange juice -which is associated with type 2 diabetes- is definitely not what you want to be drinking to ward off Covid-19. In NY State the number two comorbidity in Covid-19 mortality is diabetes. While orange juice might be a reasonable source of vitamin C, you are far better off eating spinach, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, tomato, or peppers. Basically there are many healthier options. If you doubt OJ is bad for you, you can always check your blood glucose after drinking it and see for yourself. NYS DOH COVID-19 WORKBOOK  I've also included a link to a British medical journal large cohort study that looks at this particular issue. Keeping in mind that the study actually found that most whole fruit consumption was only weakly inversely associated with type 2 diabetes (blueberries being somewhat of an exception), yet there was still a higher risk of diabetes in juice drinkers. Basically, fruit is likely not protective against type 2 diabetes (which makes

The heart is the most important muscle in the body, and more than a half century after Dr. Kenneth Cooper's recommendations to train the heart via aerobic exercise -aka cardio- there continues to be evidence that this is not the most beneficial way to improve heart health or healthspan. This study looks at the benefits of increasing skeletal muscle mass specifically on heart health.  The study found participants in the highest skeletal muscle mass tertile (the people with the most lean muscle mass) had 81% (HR=0.85) lower risk for a CVD event (heart attack) as compared with those in the lowest SMM tertile.  One way to look at it, despite all the extra time spent running, it is sprinters who likely have healthier hearts than distance runners when muscle mass is factored in.  So even if you enjoy running for the pure joy of it, consider rebalancing a little more time to the weight room, your heart will appreciate it.